Retro Christmas Wish List: Jack-Jack

This will be Jack-Jack's first Christmas where he will really get to enjoy the holiday (though he probably won't understand the true reason for the season until next year). All year I keep a wish list for my boys so when it's time for birthdays, Christmas, tooth fairy or other special occasion, Vintage Mama knows exactly what to get her little rascals. Here's 18 month old Jack-Jack's Christmas Wish list:

• Sky King Tricycle (pictured above). Oh baby! This 1932 reproduction has a real working head light and chrome detailing in a high-gloss, all steel body. This beauty is so much better than the plastic push car he currently has.

• 1932 Roadster Pedal Car (pictured below). Jack Jack loves to watch this cute cartoon called Max & Ruby. Sometimes they ride around in a car just like this, so when he saw this car he was very excited and made that vroom, vroom sound.
  

• Jack-Jack is obsessed with balls. We must have about 30 of them tossed around our home, but even that's not enough for this little guy. These Edushape Sensory Balls have little nubbies so they're fun to touch and toss!

• I recently threw away a bunch of colorful blocks because Jack-Jack would lick them like lollipops and I wasn't sure if these blocks were lead-free (I read that lead paint has a sweet taste that makes it irresistible to kids). However I found these much better and safer Fantasy Blocks by Haba that I know he's sure to love. These super colorful blocks are painted with non-toxic acrylic paint and are so much more fun than his old ones. I may have to buy this Ball Track Roll'n Roll'n Roll as well. Learn more about this German, family-owned company here.
  



• Oh, I remember having one of these as a little girl! This classic T.V. by Fisher-Price has cute retro pictures that have the words to the 2 little tunes it plays. Jack-Jack will love this!

What's on your childrens' wish list?

5 quick n' simple frozen treats

Now I know the calender says Autumn, but the thermostat here in southern California says Summer (and my air conditioning bill says heat wave!). Here are my 5 favorite super quick n' simple frozen treats to make for my boys, 'cause a vintage mama always has sweet treats for her sweet boys!

1. 
   
   Yogurt - simply stick a popsicle stick in the middle and put it in the freezer.


2. 
   
   Pudding - same as the yogurt. Yes, homemade pudding would be best...but with a newborn, I'm just gonna reach for the ready-made pudding cup.


3. 
   
   Grapes - wash and remove from stem. Put loose grapes in a sandwich baggy and freeze. You can also skewer them to make frozen grape pops!


4. 
   
   Juice Box Slushy - put a juice box in freezer until almost firm. Cut box open and pour slushy into cup with spoon n' straw.


5. 
   
   Watermelon Pops - cut watermelon into rectangles and insert popsicle stick in the watermelon. Freeze until firm.

Getting into "The Vintage Mama" mood

I'm not a morning person by any stretch of the imagination. My dear mother would have to drag me out of bed as a child (my sister preferred to wet my face with cold water to get me out of bed). Luckily Noah-the-Pooh quickly learned to sleep through the night and sleep in late. I was not so lucky with Jack-Jack. He's definitely a morning lark preferring to wake up at 7am (and it took alot of work to get him to sleep until then!). Now with newborn Carlitos keeping me up at night, I'm not a happy camper in the morning. So how do I shake off that urge to slumber and put on a cheery face for the kids? I put on my apron!

I know it sounds silly, but it is truly amazing how a simple apron can put you in the "mama" mood. When I put my apron on I want to bake a dozen cupcakes, do a "pots n' pans" rock band with my boys, or cuddle up with them and read a book. My apron makes me want to invite all the neighborhood kids for some milk n' cookies. If I had chickens, I'd gather and carry the eggs in my apron...okay you get the idea...aprons are more than functional...they are essential for getting in "The Vintage Mama" mood!

Don't have an apron? Check out these fabulous handmade aprons from Etsy!

Amy Butler's Happy Dots - Paloma Chic Apron by SassyApron

The Olivia Full Apron by A Bushel and A Peck

Retro Style Halter Apron by Yellow Bird Design

Retro 50s BLACK POLKA DOT full APRON by Lover Dover Clothing

Red and White Polka Dot Flared Apron by Dianne Designer Aprons

The MAGGIE Vintage Inspired Black and White Damask Full Apron by Boojiboo